USPTO Minimizes “iPad Mini” Trademark
30 April 2013
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has denied Apple’s request to trademark “iPad Mini,” as “mini” means any products in miniature manner.
However, the application still has a chance to succeed, because on April 1, 2013, the USPTO requested Apple apply for the entire term of “iPad Mini” rather than only “mini.” If successful, others will also be able to add “mini” to their innovations.
“The applicant must disclaim the descriptive wording ‘mini’ apart from the mark [iPad Mini] as shown because it merely describes a quality, characteristic, or feature of applicant’s goods,” explained the USPTO.
Apple must reply with the disclaimer to the USPTO within six months before the application expires; analysts say it is very likely that “iPad Mini” can be trademarked as long as the company fulfils the requirement on time.
